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Staph infections - self-care at home

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Staph (pronounced staff) is short for Staphylococcus. Staph is a type of germ (bacteria) that can cause infections almost anywhere in the body.

One type of staph germ, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is harder to treat. This is because MRSA is not killed by certain medicines used to treat other staph germs.

How Does Staph Spread?

Many healthy people normally have staph on their skin, in their noses, or other body areas. Most of the time, the germ does not cause an infection or symptoms. This is called being colonized with staph. These persons are known as carriers. They can spread staph to others. Some people colonized by staph develop an actual staph infection that makes them sick.

Most staph germs are spread by skin-to-skin contact. They can also be spread when you touch something that has the staph germ on it, such as clothing or a towel. Staph germs can then enter a break in the skin, such as cuts, scratches, or pimples. Usually the infection is minor and stays in the skin. But the infection can spread deeper and affect the blood, bones, or joints. Organs such as the lungs, heart, or brain can also be affected. Serious cases can be life-threatening.

What are the Risk Factors for Staph Infection?

You are more likely to get a staph infection if you:

Have an open cut or sore

Inject illegal drugs

Have a medical tube such as urinary catheter or feeding tube

Have a medical device inside your body such as an artificial joint

Have a weakened immune system or ongoing (chronic) illness

Live with or have close contact with a person who has staph

Play contact sports or share athletic equipment

Share items such as towels, razors, or cosmetics with others

Recently stayed in a hospital or long-term care facility

How Do You Know If You Have a Staph Infection?

Symptoms depend on where the infection is located. For example, with a skin infection you may have a boil or a painful rash called impetigo. With a serious infection, such as toxic shock syndrome, you may have a high fever, nausea and vomiting, and a sunburn-like rash.

The only way to know for sure if you have a staph infection is by seeing a health care provider.

A cotton swab is used to collect a sample from an open skin rash or skin sore.

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